Miami Gardens

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Lore & Background

The history of games played in Miami reveals a dramatic shift in dominance. The tide turned completely in the 1970s under Don Shula, though the Bills managed to defeat the Dolphins 24–16 on December 13, 1970, breaking any notion of total domination that decade. During their perfect 1972 season, the Dolphins crushed Buffalo with a final score of 38–0, not the close contest often misremembered. The Dolphins' legendary winning streak against the Bills began in 1971 and ended in December 1980, lasting approximately 17 to 19 wins.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of play in Miami is defined by high-scoring battles and heartbreaking finishes. On September 7, 1980, the Bills finally broke a 21-game losing streak with a 17–7 victory, sparking fans to rush the field and tear down a goal post. Three years later, in rookie Dan Marino's first NFL start, the Dolphins overcame a 14–0 deficit to lead 35–28 before Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson led a game-tying drive. The contest went into overtime, where Miami placekicker Uwe von Schamann missed two potential winners, and Buffalo won 38–35 on a 36-yard field goal by Joe Danelo. Decades later, on January 2, 1999, the teams met in the playoffs at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, where the Dolphins forced five Bills turnovers to secure a 24–17 win.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking back at the history of matchups in Miami should note the specific venues and outcomes that shaped the rivalry. Later encounters took place at Joe Robbie Stadium (later Pro Player Stadium), such as the January 17, 1993 playoff game where Buffalo defeated Miami 29–10 to advance to their third consecutive Super Bowl. The source also notes that in November 1978, a game at Rich Stadium broke a record streak, but games played in Miami during that era were equally significant as the Dolphins extended their dominance with victories like a 25–24 win in Buffalo and continued success on home soil.

Did You Know?

• The only tie in the entire Bills-Dolphins rivalry history occurred on November 24, 1968, with a final score of 17–17.
• On December 13, 1970, the Bills defeated the Dolphins 24–16, proving Miami did not win every meeting during the 1970s.
• During a 1983 overtime game in Miami on Christmas Day, Joe Ferguson threw for four touchdown passes and ran for one rushing touchdown.
• On January 3, 1999, the Dolphins forced three turnovers from the Bills to win 24–17 in their second playoff meeting of the decade.